JS Editors’ Favorite Trips of 2017

After falling in love with South Africa last year, I made it my personal mission to make it back to the continent in 2017. This November, I was lucky enough to embark on another journey of a lifetime: tracking endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the rain forests of Rwanda and Uganda. The four-hour hike through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was one of the most challenging—and rewarding—experiences of my life, but the trip had so much more in store than I’d imagined, from dining on pan-African cuisine (with views of distant volcanoes) at Volcanoes Safaris' Virunga Lodge to singing along with Uganda’s Batwa tribe on the outskirts of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. While wildlife remains the biggest reason why tourists visit these countries, it’s the locals who make you want to stay.

– Lindsey Olander, Editor

After getting married in August, my husband and I embarked on an eight-day road trip through Portugal. We started in Lisbon, where we checked into the stunning Palacio Belmonte—it was pure luxury and relaxation. After exploring the city, we moved on to the charming landscapes (and delicious rosé) of the Alentejo wine region, before driving south to laze on the incredible beaches of the Algarve. The memory of swimming in that blue-green water with my new husband still brings a smile to my face.

– Gretchen Moosbrugger, Photo Editor

RELATED: An Insider's Guide to Lisbon

I loved visiting Hong Kong this past summer—it's the only other city that can match New York for its frenetic energy and cultural history, with the added bonus of being close enough to the mountains that a decent hiking trail is just a short ferry ride away. Every time I visit, I make time to stop at PMQ, a seven-floor design hub that houses studio spaces, flea markets, and artist-run shops. Before exploring the city, be sure to grab some floral tea at Flamingo Bloom. Their intense orange and jasmine tips green brew from Fujian will keep you going. (Make sure to take a picture first!)

– Anita Ng, Photo Editor

Having recently moved from a small town in Kansas, New York City was easily my year's biggest adventure. To get to know the city better, I indulged in a "treat yourself" weekend right here in Manhattan. Among the highlights: staying at the splurge-worthy New York EDITION hotel, browsing contemporary art at the New Museum, shopping in SoHo, and exploring Central Park. It wasn’t the greatest (or farthest-flung) adventure I’ve ever been on, but it was still great being a tourist in my new home.

– David Hattan, Photo Intern

This year, my family took a summer trip to the Dalmatian Coast, which was incredible. We flew into Dubrovnik, then ferried to the islands of Hvar, Korčula, Brač, and Split. Every island has a different feel: Hvar is buzzy and splashy with outdoor cafés and packed restaurants and bars on every corner while Brač is sleepy but seductive with steep cliffs, white stone architecture, and pine forests. My favorite part of the trip was lounging at the Bonj "Les Bains" beach club in Hvar, where my husband and I drank white wine and swam with our kids in the crystal blue water.

– Clara Sedlak, Executive Editor

RELATED: The Best of Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast

Harrowing news seemed to be the theme of 2017, so I was extra thankful this August when I got to take a five-day, off-the-grid river cruise down the Amazon. My trip started with two days in Lima, where I checked out the luxe Country Club Lima Hotel, waterfront Parque del Amor in Miraflores, and pre-Colombian art at Museo Larco. From there, I said goodbye to cell service and hello to the Delfin III—the latest ship in Delfin Amazon Cruises’ fleet—which took off in Nauta, not far from Iquitos. During my time in the Amazon, I went on naturalist-led jungle excursions, swam with pink river dolphins, fished for piranha, and scouted sloths from our skiff. The real kicker was the Delfin’s luxe amenities—I'm talking white-gloved dining service, all-you-can-drink Pisco Sours, a third-deck plunge pool, and a bijou rainforest spa.

– Chelsea Stuart, Assistant Editor

RELATED: 9 Things to Know Before Going to the Peruvian Amazon